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Expat Retire
Guide

Retiring abroad isn't
one decision — it's four.
Find yours.

Snowbird, perpetual traveler, trial move, or permanent relocation — each has its own Medicare rules, insurance needs, and tax situation. Start with your scenario; the rest follows from there.

18

Months of planning — the window before the most important decisions run out of time

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What Medicare pays for most care outside the US — the gap you'll need a plan for

3

Decisions in this process with permanent consequences: Medicare, tax domicile, and investments

Medicare coverage rules per medicare.gov. Part B penalty and premium per CMS 2026 fact sheet. Updated annually each fall.

Not sure where to start?

Choose your path

Which retirement abroad path is yours?

Snowbird, perpetual traveler, trial move, or permanent relocation — four different setups with different Medicare rules, insurance stacks, and tax situations. Pick the one that matches your plan — the rest of the site follows from there.

The decisions that can't wait

Medicare

The Medicare Guide

What happens to your coverage the moment you leave the US — and the enrollment decisions that have permanent consequences if you get them wrong.

Money & finances

Banking, Taxes & Investing Abroad

Fidelity, Vanguard, and Schwab have been closing expat accounts since 2024 — and Social Security deposits still need a US address. The four money decisions to make before you leave.

Insurance comparison

International Health Insurance

The plans that fill the gap Medicare leaves — what to look for, what to watch out for, and which providers are worth getting a quote from.

The plan

The 18-Month Relocation Timeline

Medicare, insurance, visa, bank account, tax domicile — each one has a moment when it has to happen, and a moment when it's too late. Six phases, in the order they have to run.

Your destination

Country guides

Europe & Latin America

Country-by-country breakdowns of visas, healthcare costs, Medicare decisions, and what insurance you'll actually need on the ground.

A note from us —

The dream of retiring abroad is easy to find. The practical roadmap — Medicare decisions, banking moves, visa timelines, tax choices — is harder. We built the latter.

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Figure out your path abroad, then plan with confidence

Practical guidance on Medicare, taxes, and country choices — for snowbirds, perpetual travelers, trial movers, and permanent expats. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.